96% of Americans have made a purchase online, with 44% of all sales claimed by Amazon. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to feel like your online retail store has no chance of competing in such a competitive market. However, getting ahead of the competition is all about looking at the data and changing your strategy to meet the expectations of the market. For instance, online shoppers want low delivery costs, easy return policies, and detailed product descriptions. The eCommerce business that does these things right is bound to see a boost in sales, along with implementing several other key eCommerce strategies that can grow your business.
Promote Your Trustworthiness
Many people are flocking to Amazon because it is a well known and trusted retailer. Smaller companies don’t automatically have this level of trust, so focus on building this. Offering more online payment options shows that you are a credible retailer and lets customers choose the method they are most comfortable with. You should also showcase your credential badges prominently and link to trusted review websites rather than just putting the reviews up yourself.
Optimize Your Site for Mobile
80% of individuals in Generation Z who own a smartphone use their device for online shopping, while 60% of all online shopping time is spent on something mobile. If your site doesn’t work as smoothly and efficiently on a smartphone as it does on a desktop, then you are missing out on a huge chunk (and demographic) of potential transactions. Ideally, you’ll want to create an app which makes the shopping process as easy and convenient for customers as possible.
Prioritize Customer Retention Over Customer Acquisition
A lack of sales is not necessarily caused by a lack of customers. Rather than trying to gain new customers, work on retaining the ones that you have. Once someone has made one successful purchase, they will likely stay loyal to your site, since going for a new one can pose a risk. If they don’t stay loyal, it means that something was wrong. Either the delivery was too slow, the product not as described, or the customer service not up to scratch. Work on these areas to gain repeat customers and eventually your business will come across positively as it spreads by word of mouth.
Improve Your Social Media Game
Around a third of shoppers are happy to make a purchase from Facebook or Instagram. When this becomes possible, you need to make sure that your profile on both of these social media platforms is active and engaging. Don’t just promote products, but post genuinely interesting and engaging content that helps to build a community around your brand’s values. Posts which are less than 80 characters perform better, while photos have an 84% higher click through rate as well as 53% more likes and 104% more comments. Let those stats sink in and apply them to your social media strategy to increase your total sales.
eCommerce is a tough industry, but it is always possible to make more sales. Build a trustworthy brand and focus on retaining customers. If you can optimize your site for mobile and improve your social media, then you are likely to see your sales grow over time.
